It's a lovely little life.

I woke up at 3:47 AM this morning to the sound of rain smashing into my carport. I was a little annoyed at first, but when I went to close my window, the sweet smell of fresh rain and the iridescent glow of the street light in the late night made me stop. I watched it rain for a few minutes then closed my window a little and opened the blinds. I rounded up my favorite red, white and blue blanket my mom made me and my sleepy puppy. The sound, the soft glow of light, a comfy blanket and a warm puppy made the world just a little more perfect last night.

The House That Built Me

Lyrics to love (and make me cry)...

The House That Built Me -- Miranda Lambert
(Tom Douglas / Allen Shamblin)

I know they say you can’t go home again
I just had to come back one last time
Ma’am I know you don’t know me from Adam
But these hand prints on the front steps are mine

Up those stairs in that little back bedroom
Is where I did my homework and I learned to play guitar
I bet you didn’t know under that live oak
My favorite dog is buried in the yard

I thought if I could touch this place or feel it
This brokenness inside me might start healing
Out here it’s like I’m someone else
I thought that maybe I could find myself
If I could just come in I swear I’ll leave
Won’t take nothing but a memory
From the house that built me

Mama cut out pictures of houses for you
From Better Homes and Gardens magazine
Plans were drawn and concrete poured
Nail by nail and board by board
Daddy gave life to mama’s dream

I thought if I could touch this place or feel it
This brokenness inside me might start healing
Out here it’s like I’m someone else
I thought that maybe I could find myself
If I could just come in I swear I’ll leave
Won’t take nothing but a memory
From the house that built me

You leave home and you move on and you do the best you can
I got lost in this old world and forgot who I am

I thought if I could touch this place or feel it
This brokenness inside me might start healing
Out here it’s like I’m someone else
I thought that maybe I could find myself
If I could just come in I swear I’ll leave
Won’t take nothing but a memory
From the house that built me

New music from Miranda Lambert is HERE!!

Just got an email that my iTunes pre-order of "Revolution" is here.

FINALLY! WOOHOOOOOOOO!

I am jamming out to Miranda Lambert music as I type this!

Go, run and BUY!!

Viva la "Revolution"! :D

Leftover Tidbits

I managed to forget my camera this weekend to take hunting. I know, I'm awesome. I told myself that when I opened my suitcase and pulled out the batteries I'd bought for it the night before we left. DOH! I did take some pics with Zach's camera so I'll see if I can steal a few...

I finished up my quarter last week. I got an 'A' in Radiology and a 'B' in Lab Animals, Exotics, and Pocket Pets. I just couldn't get excited over that class. The crapola part was that my percentage was 89.75%. GAH! So. Close. Oh well...a 'B' won't hurt me too bad. I have a week off before I start classes again. Next up is Pharmacology, Hematology and my last general, Earth Sciences. YUSSS!

Miranda Lambert's new album is out tomorrow. TOMORROW! WOOOO! After reading all of the reviews about just how great it is, I'm even more excited than before. How can that be possible, right? Oh it's possible. And a reality. :P

Lastly, I found out some potentially exciting news last week. So exciting that it will melt faces off with awesomeness! Yeah. I'm not gonna talk about it until I find out more. Sorry. I have to do some research first. I'll let ya'll know. :D

xoxoxAC

Deer Camp 2009

Well I'm home from camping & hunting. That last sentence was typed with a hint of sadness. I love this annual trip. It's no secret. This year was no different.

Zach and I left early Thursday morning, only to arrive to find out our friend had got an elk that morning. After a quick clothing change, we headed up the mountain on 4-wheelers to help bring it out. As I was cruising up the mountain with my dad, I looked at my arms and thought about sunscreen and how I managed to forget it. I spent the rest of the weekend with a wicked farmer tan (read: BURN) and raccoon face. LOL! I went out with my dad on Thursday night to hunt. We didn't see much until right before dark...two does were hanging out on the side of the road. We thought we saw a third until it turned its head at the perfect moment and sported some antlers!! My dad and I both had binoculars on it and realized at the same time we were staring at a buck! The truck pretty much erupted in chaos! Between flying binoculars and trying to get the gun ready, the buck still didn't move. I was able to get my gun on it, but I didn't feel like I could get a good shot through the trees. And even though I had my dad screaming at me to, "Shoot! SHOOT!!!", I didn't. It was my shot and I didn't want to miss or wound, so I didn't take it. I think the best part was when the buck went running towards our camp, so my dad gunned it and flew into camp. Uncle Bob didn't know what the hell was going on, but figured we must have seen "The Big One" by the way we were flying into camp, because he dropped his drink, grabbed his glasses and gun, and just started running. LMAO! For those of you who know Uncle Bob, it was a damn funny sight!

On Friday morning, my dad and I left before dark to get to our favorite hunting spot over by Middle Mountain. We hiked down a steep logging trail to a pretty little meadow. We sat for a while and saw a lot of does, but no bucks. Unfortunately, this was pretty much the trend for the rest of the hunting trip. That night, Zach and I set out in his truck and again saw a lot of does. We did see a little spike buck that night, but definitely not worth shooting. Although, it was standing so close to the truck, I could've reached out with the butt of my gun and konked it on the top of the head. Heh!

Saturday was a slow hunting day, so Zach, my dad and I went out and chopped wood. We did this last year and it was actually a lot of fun. We filled the back of my dad's truck with a lot of great firewood. I think the highlight of this was when we found three dead trees right by each other to cut. The problem was that they were quite a ways away from the road...or so we thought. After cutting up one of the trees and hauling some rather large logs to the truck, we realized we could actually maneuver the truck right up to the trees. Of course, this was after a lot of sweating, dragging, grunting and cussing from packing the first tree. HAHA! Saturday night, I went out on 4-wheelers with Uncle Jerry and Derek. We didn't see much (more does), but we had a fun little ride. I have to add that we spent a great deal of our ride picking up cans and garbage off the side of the trails - we always leave our mountains cleaner than when we came. Unfortunately, we came across a disgusting fire pit filled with cans, dirty diapers and just general garbage that we couldn't pack out. People are disgusting. If you disrespect the outdoors like that and I catch you, expect a swift punch to the back of the head, people. Meh.

We packed up and headed home yesterday. Besides the elk on Thursday, nobody managed to get a deer this year. It was definitely a slow year, but nobody minded. We had a lot (A LOT) of great camping food, some awesome campfires and just general camping fun. I got to sleep out in my kick-ass Cabela's canvas tent each night and just enjoyed being up in the mountains. Hopefully next year, I'll get to shoot my first deer...I want some jerky! HAHA!

I had a funny realization on Friday night. I went for a ride in the back of a truck to drop off some of our friends on top of the mountain to hunt that night. I was wearing camo, sporting a nice dirt mustache from not showering for a couple days, had a gun in my arms and was yapping with my childhood buddy, Jared, about how much beer I would drink that night by the campfire, listening to funny hunting stories. It dawned on me that the next day I'd be cutting wood and covered in sawdust, and that in no less than two days (today), I'd be back in the office, wearing nice slacks and sitting in front of a computer. I love my crazy life. :)

Hunting in two days...

Thank God. I don't know if I've ever needed an escape to the mountains more than right now...

Viva Los Perros!

I'm not usually a big fan of dog clothing...
but this is pretty rad! :D

A hunting we will go, a hunting we will go...

La la la la la laaaaaa,
A hunting we will gooooo!

I'll be here in one week:

That's right! It's deer-hunting season! FINALLY!
I'm making my list (including camo, beer and boots),
listening to Merle Haggard,
and getting into sneak mode: Be the deer.

BUWAHAHAHAHA!

HUNTING TIME! YUSSSSS! XD

Pearlies of Wisdom...from Dolly

"If you don't like the road you're walking,
start paving another one."

-Dolly Parton

New Music from Ran...getting closer!

New music from Miranda Lambert in two weeks!

TWO WEEKS!! YUSSSS!

Nobody puts baby in a corner... :(

Just like everyone else, Patrick Swayze is synonymous with Dirty Dancing for me. When I was little, I'd spend my summers down in Monticello, Utah at my grandma's house. I remember watching Dirty Dancing with my cousins, Angie & Syd, and my grandma's neighbor's daughter, Krysta, aaallll the time down in Krysta's basement. We thought we were so sneaky, watching that PG-13 movie. LOL! This inevitably lead to some risque dancing (if that's possible for little kids) and many (failed) attempts of "The Lift" at the Monticello public swimming pool. Awww...memories.

R.I.P. Patrick Swayze

9.11

Never forget.

I'm so proud to live in this amazing country.
Thank you to the men and women in uniform,
fighting for my rights every day.

God Bless America

Fall

I absolutely love the first time I realize Fall has arrived. It never gets old. I find the yearly realization somewhat comforting and familiar. Nothing specific happens - I just walk outside, feel something in the air, see something in the sky... I felt it this morning. Love it.

JESUS RUVS YOU...even in Vegas :)

*yawn*

I got home a couple hours ago from Vegas. I've decided flying is the only way to go. Six hour car ride versus 50-minute flight? Yeah. Upon arriving home, it was an oven baked pizza followed by a three hour nap. Good times.

Vegas was so much fun! It was fun to hang with my family this time. We ate some delicious food and did a lot of laughing. Oh and a lot of walking...in flip flops. Whatever. Sore feet and a tired body are always indications of a good time in Vegas.

Zach and Mel's wedding was AWESOME! There was no fuss...just a low-key dinner followed by one of the funnest wedding ceremonies under the bright "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign and a crazy limo drive. Even though it was my baby brother, I didn't cry. I couldn't. I could only smile as we were surrounded by some great people while people drove by screaming, "CONGRATULATIONS!" Finishing the night dancing with everyone at a kick-ass bar just topped it off. Congrats to my baby brother and my new sister! :)

Here are a couple highlights from the trip:

• My brother's wedding. Duh!
• Forgetting my room number and getting lost on the first night. Oh and having to use the bathroom in a MAJOR way. Rad.
• Margaritas and nachos from Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville.
• Wearing a pretty dress and getting glammed out for a Vegas-style wedding.
• A cold Bud Light after walking (and walking and walking) The Strip in flip-flops.
• The Bellagio fountains. Classic.
• Asian people on the street, preaching and reminding us all that, "JESUS RUVS YOU!"

I got home to a super hyper puppy. It's good to be missed. :)

Viva Las Vegas!

Later babies!

Three swimsuits
Two dresses
One pair of leapord print high heels
...and a get-a-way plan for cold feet ;)

Outta here! Later babies! xoxoxAC

Bright light city!

Bright light city gonna set my soul
Gonna set my soul on fire
Vivaaa Las Vegas!
Vivaaa Las Vegas!
Vivaaaaa!
Vivaaaaa!
Vivaaaa Laaaaas Vegaaaaas!

Tomorrow! YEAH! XD

Wednesdays, part 2

Afternoons are worse. Just want to sleep on my desk... I think I just drooled a little on my keyboard.

Wednesdays. Bah.

Tuesday nights this quarter are Radiology nights...and laaaaate nights. Radiology rules. I never notice how late it is when I'm there, but getting home at 11:30-12 at night? Ouch. It really kicks in when my alarm goes off at 5 AM. I seriously get giddy about coffee on Wednesday mornings.

Only two more *yaaawnnn* days 'til Vegas.

"Pasketti"

I made spaghetti last night. I used hamburger from my family's beef cows from last year, whole wheat pasta noodles, homemade tomato sauce and loads of garlic. Beware, vampires.

I brought leftovers for lunch, which may, dare I say it, be even better than the original meal. I laughed a little when I ate it so quickly and marveled at how long I've loved homemade spaghetti, or "pasketti" if you will. It reminded me of my little cousin, Charlei (Chuck), and how she devoured both hers and Breckyn's bowls at Olive Garden a couple years ago. Oh and my brother. Zachee looooves his spaghetti.

:)

Shake the glitter off your clothes now!

Shut up and put your money where your mouth is
That's what you get for waking up in Vegas
Get up and shake the glitter off your clothes now
That's what you get for waking up in Vegas

Three more days 'til VEGAS!